San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-11-22
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER, ~, 1887.
WILL LAMAR GET THERE?


The nomination of Lamar for the va
oanoy upon the supreme bench may be
considered foregone conclusion. That
he will be confirmed by the senate Is not
so certain. Cleveland understands the
immense advantage it would be to the
democratic party Of the future, with
Its state rights leanIngs, to have
so warm an advocate of the
divine right OF secession in the supreme
court Of the nation, but the leading
members OF the United States senate are
by no means Of ClevelaDd's mind, at
least some of them, and a very strong
opposition is manifesting itself to the
nomination, which may and very
likely will defeat its OOnfirma-
tIon. Cleveland, with his we'll
known caution in taking any steps
for which he has not previously
paved the way, is no doubt hesitating
over the nomination on this very &C.
count, although 1t is confidently expect
ed that he will promptly preC2nt
Lamsr's name upon the assembling of
congress. In the meantime republican
senators are Outspoken in their
opposition to this appointment
Of such man, who has no judicial ex-
perience and whose secession and multi
tication antecedents are viewed with
alarm by such men IS HOar, Edmunds
and others. This sentiment is strongly
voiced in recent utterance of the New
York Tribune, as follows:
Mr.. Lamar is not one of those whom the
stress of events drove into rebellion unrea.
sOningly and almost against their will. He
was an avowed secessiOnist long before the
time for secession arrived-and, moreover.
practical and not a theoretical secessiOnist
In 1859 he declared from his seat in the house
of representatives that it was his deliberate
intention, whenever he thought the Just hca-
ton sufficient, to make war upon your gov.
ernment, 10 raise then the banner of secession
and to fight under it as long as the
blood flows and GIBBS I'm my VEINS"
and in the same debate he pro-
claimed the absolute right to notification.
He amply redeemed his promise when the an
ticpated moment came. He hastened to
Mississippi, assisted in the secession of his
state and the organization of the ConTedracy,
and theRcefOrward throughout the war de
voted whatever abilities he possessed as sol
der and civil servant to the overthrow Of that
constitution Of which the president now de.
signs TO make him one Of the special aud ulti.
mate guardians. As Mr.. Lamar was among
the first to organize rebellion, so is he evident
ly determined to be among the last to learn the
lessons of defeat He has upheld, shared in
and personally prOhted by the fraud and VIC
lence which in his own state and throughout
the south have converted popular elections
into farce and republican government into
an oligarchy. The enjoyment of northern
hospitality, the fascination OF northern CAPT
tai, the enthusiasm OF some public celebra
ton, or closer insight into the truth, has oc-
casiOnally drawn from other soldiers and
statesmen of the south fervent expressions
OF present loyalty and, in rare instances, Of
feeling almost akin TO regret But no
recollection OF a tragic past or vision of a
prosperous future has ever betrayed Mr.
Lamar into an acknowledgment that his
treason was anything less than glorious
Among his last utteTances on the floor of the
Senate before taking his scat in the Cabinet
was the declaration that mo one shall rise
and in my presence call jefferson Davis a
traitor without meeting a stern and decided
denial" In any other country on the face of
the earth, and at any other period in the his
tory of the United States, the announcement
that the head of the State had placed the keep
ing of its fundamental law-the bond and sym.
Dol of its existence-in the hands of such a
man would have appeared TO every citizen
more than incredible-it would haveiappeared
grotesque.
The views entertained by the Tribune
will be shared by many democratic as
well as republican members of the SEN
ate, particularly those who come from
the old union wing Of the democratic
party. The result like all else political
will be seen when the matter comes to
issue.